Bellator 271:
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; Hollywood, Florida
For the 20th time in 28 fights during her incredible MMA career, a Cristiane Justino fight ends with a knockout finish. She also brought in Antonio McKee to help fine tune her wrestling, but that was not needed. Cyborg blitzed and exchanged from the get go with Sinead Kavanagh. After her third title defense, it’s now a matter of can anyone beat Cyborg. At least anyone not named Amanda Nunes. But her free agent ATT teammate, Kayla Harrison was sitting cageside for the event.
“KO”, the fifth ranked featherweight knew what she was in for, and the SBG Ireland fighter was game to exchange. But Cyborg’s power is not something you can plan on. It’s like Mike Tyson once said; “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”.
With Cyborg’s first blitz to the fence, and a clinch; she did attempt to bring the fight to the mat. But on the ensuing blitzing exchange a right hook stung the 35-year old Irish fighter, and a second one right on the chin crumbled her to the mat. Cyborg then wrapped up the fight with some hammer fists for good measure. With Jason Herzog jumping in at the 92-second mark, for her 11th- first-round KO.
That makes it 20 KO’s for the champ. #Bellator271
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) November 13, 2021
@criscyborg pic.twitter.com/o1mTp3eYbx
Can Anyone Beat Cyborg
Post fight in speaking with Big John McCarthy, Cyborg apologized to her team for not sticking with the game plan that they had in mind. McCarthy asked who she’s thinking about next and she mentioned Cat Zingano. A fight that a lot of MMA fans have thought about.
For the fighters in the Top-10, Zingano and Talita Nogueira might possibly be somewhat competitive. But it seems Cyborg is rejuvenated now, as she’s riding a five-fight win streak since her loss to Nunes. Then McCarthy brought up the elephant in the room; the fact that Harrison was in attendance. Cyborg once again said she’d be up for that fight, but will leave all the details up to Scott Coker.
Yes, anyone can be beat on any day, but Harrison despite being a two-time Gold Medal winning Olympian, and undefeated in MMA, has yet to be put into danger. With her only having a dozen fights she’s still very much learning the sport.
If that fight which would be a big ticket event was booked within the next 12-months, it’s hard to bet against this version of Cyborg. Especially if she’s going to be using Team BodyShop for extra help on the ground. And with Dana White not being interested in setting up a Nunes vs Cyborg rematch, the 36-year old Brazilian may just continue her streak till she decides to hang up the gloves.
